$20million water issue
The responsible minister stated that $20million within 3 years ( FT 5/8/25). For Jone Usamate’s sake, did he do any better during his tenure? I am referring to the “alleviation” of the problem. Almost all of the time, parliamentary discussions seem to always focus on problems, in my view. This issue has become the “norm” to Fiji’s water distribution system, for over 30 years. Has the Viria Reservoir provided any relief? Was that not the whole exercise for its development? Not every change brings progress. Fiji now has a diplomatic relationship with Israel and I believe that it needs Israel’s expertise for its water distribution issue. Problems need to be addressed from the “root cause” otherwise, the accumulating costs will continue to rise significantly, as Mr Tuisawau mentioned. I think that it is like the inability to adapt or a lack of learning. If we change nothing, nothing will ever change. SAMU SILATOLU Nakasi
War on drugs
Today’s drug addiction and society’s apparent inability to respond properly, perhaps it behoves us to tackle the main roots of the problem — drug dealers and suppliers. Why not create the legislation necessary to come down exceedingly hard on them. Raising the maximum sentence for hard drug offences, more room and flexibility will be given to determine what sentence is appropriate given the circumstances of specific cases. Also, by increasing the maximum sentences for hard drug offences, Fiji will be more in line with first world countries when it comes to the criminal law approach to serious drug crimes that is often committed in the context of a criminal organisation. This could be one constructive and direct way we can deal with one of the defining dilemmas of present Viti. WISE MUAVONO Balawa, Lautoka
Let us move on
I quote Honourable Lynda Tabuya: “What happened last year was personal. It became public. It was not political, but its consequences were. I do not hide from it. But I do not carry it like a wound. I carry it like a lesson, a lesson in humility, in boundaries, and in what it means to hold public trust. That lesson now guides everything I do.” This is a brave and bold statement from someone who has been given a second chance as the newly appointed Minister for Information. In her inaugural address to the August House, Ms Tabuya openly reflected on the personal and public challenges that led to her termination as the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection last year. Ms Tabuya was under the radar last year, but I’m glad that she has bounced back. She has become resilient and determined, ready to renew her commitment to transparency, accountability, and service. In her address, she elaborated on the setting up of the Rapid Response Unit to tackle misinformation during elections, disasters and health emergencies which are critical to getting people ready to get correct and authentic information. Indeed, an informed public is a nation’s best defence against chaos. She announced her nationwide listening tour where she is interested in listening to the public’s opinions. Way to go Ms Tabuya! Finally, the red outfit that Ms Tabuya wore during her swearing-in on Tuesday made her look smart, elegant, confident and sharp. Red symbolises a range of powerful emotions and concepts – passion, happiness, energy, and excitement. RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Balgovind Rd, Nadawa, Nasinu
Cheats never prosper
The effort to keep our bodies in as good a condition as possible is something we all face at some time. Some matters are treatable, but my hair has gone and baldness is the outcome. I also want to lose weight as my hip is aching and I know diet and exercise are the best ways for me to achieve this, not some drug. Those who can afford the ‘weight loss’ medicines, rather than those that need them, are using them for weight management. The problem is that people can’t seem to stop when they get to a desired weight as it will most likely come back, so they must continue using the medicine. To the non medical person like me that sounds similar to a drug addicts plight. Don’t cheat, use medicine as your doctor prescribes. It’s in your own interest. DENNIS FITZGERALD Melbourne, Australia
The world we live in
Clouds Land Interior Marine Thermostat Exposure
Climate consists of the above
Clouds harbour and shower rain
With a combined movement forming wind
Land absorbs rain giving life to green
Rivers and seas deal with life’s marine
Water is an element every life creeds
Sun for warmth provides heat an element essential the cold to beat
Air for every life to breathe
All these elements of climate are essential to keep clean
For nature’s provision and availability
We have to protect it from man-made cruelty
Be it materialistic, gas or fumes
Extra abuse or exposure affects land, air, sea and dunes
Be it man, animal or vegetation
All need freshness for renewal be it day or noon
What we in terms of development to nature give
If from it we continue to thieve and return pollutants without a sieve
That’s the very reward from it we shall receive
With climate seasons change – summer, winter, spring, autumn
To adapt to this climate range we differ our clothing and eat
Likewise nature/climate reacts to what to it we feed
Call it development, modernisation or advancement
Without these elements we will not be able to prosper
Let’s do our share to give and take with care PRAMEETA CHAND Suva
Trump’s tariffs
US President Donald Trump is obsessed, depressed and desperate about India. Twice in a day he utters India’s name and after escalating trade war, he is out of depth.
The American economy is tanking and with a debt of about $37trillion. It will not be long before our 15 percent tariff will come down with the rest of the world. RAKESH CHAND SHARMA Nadi
Embassy in Israel
Is Fiji still going to open an embassy in Israel even though that country is committing genocide in Gaza? Not just genocide through bombing, but through starving children to death as well. How can Fiji have any relations with a country that acts like the devil itself? KIRAN KHATRI Samabula, Suva
2026 general election
We gather from the social media that the election scheduled for 2026 is to postponed for three years so that the gang in government can sort out constitutional issues. If that is the case, I recommend that one of the first things they must do is to give themselves another tamani size pay rise so that they can work harder for us. RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Rehab project
Lynda Tabuya says Mahendra Chaudhary and his son are convicted criminals and are a big disgrace If it is so why waste time and money on the rehabilitation of prisoners through the Yellow Ribbon project. Any way congratulations for becoming a minister again. SUKHA SINGH Labasa
Emergency centre
Hey there Fiji Government! Do we have an emergency centre? This is where a number such as 911 is dialled and emergency dispatchers assist while on line. Now there are different numbers for the emergency services. May I suggest numbers should go straight to the dispatch officer so we are not transferred around to five or so different places before we get to the right person. If we don’t have this centre then we really need to create this service and make a difference, however small. The future will be glad you did! NAVNEET RAM (TD) Lautoka
The polls
The polls have disappeared. No way to know the people’s views on VAT reduction and government performance. MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka
Tabuya, opinion and wisdom
Difference of opinion
Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam is indignant that Kulas got thrashed by Samoa. He finds that disgusting and unacceptable and reckons the entire team management should be sacked for bringing disrepute to football in this nation (FT 6/8). But he finds it perfectly alright that a minister who was sacked for bringing Fiji politics and governance into ill repute by her personal conduct is reappointed as a minister (FT 6/8 ). By contrast Nishant Singh finds Lynda Tabuya’s appointment abhorrent and a gross breach of public trust and integrity in governance ( FT 6/8). Interesting difference of opinion, isn’t it? RAJEND NAIDU Sydney, NSW, Australia
Capacity to rise
I write to warmly congratulate Lynda Tubuya for her appointment as the Minister for Information. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka must also be recognised for his political acumen and the milk of human kindness that he has displayed. To err is human and to forgive is divine. Lynda is a well-educated person (lawyer by profession), articulate, energetic and people-friendly. Her performance in the field of sports, encouraging the youth to channel their energies in a productive manner, is highly acclaimed. Her inter-personal relationship with the masses is par excellence. This was well reflected with the number of votes she received in the last elections. Unlike some members of Parliament who are sitting with shamelessly low votes — only a few hundreds! I have no doubt that Lynda will ably handle the Ministry of Information portfolio and bring about much needed changes to the field of information technology and information dissemination for public good. I have always recognised the leadership qualities of Lynda Tubuya. She has the capacity to rise much higher in the political landscape of Fiji. I wish her every success in her new venture. DEWAN CHAND Suva
First responders
With only a few ambulances servicing Fiji and with the many accidents we are having, death is evident for most of our accident casualties. That’s even with the Fire Authority assisting at the scene. May I suggest that traffic officers in the Police Force be trained as emergency first aid responders as they are usually the first at the scene and can at least rush the severely injured to the nearest hospital in the absence or delay of an ambulance arriving at the scene. This will up-skill the officers and save lives! NOLEEN BILLINGS Savusavu
Wisdom of Marx
The quote from Groucho Marx “those are my principles, and if you don’t like them … well, I have others” could be updated to a potential Trump quote, “if you don’t like my statistician’s results, I can fire them and get others”. He hasn’t actually said that, but it might be his thinking. Facts are facts, you can’t improve them by getting someone else to announce them or at least not in a sane world. DENNIS FITZGERALD Melbourne, Australia